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How to Make Turkey Gravy from the Drippings

How to Use Turkey Drippings to Make a Delicious Turkey Gravy
Turkey gravy square pic shown in a white gravy boat. Presented with roasted turkey in the background.

Nothing completes a turkey dinner like turkey gravy. Luckily, it’s easy to make a flavorful turkey gravy that the whole family will enjoy with the leftover turkey drippings!

Turkey gravy in a white gravy boat with roasted turkey in the background.  Formatted for Pinterest.

How to Make Turkey Gravy

Turkey gravy in a white gravy boat with roasted turkey in the background.

Making gravy from the drippings of your roasted turkey incorporates all the seasonings and juices from your turkey into your gravy. I always make this gravy while the turkey is resting. I then carve the turkey once the gravy is done. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make a thick turkey gravy that everyone will love:

1. Once your turkey is done roasting, remove it from the roasting pan and place on a platter to rest. I always tent my turkey in foil to keep it warm while resting.

2. Once the turkey is removed from the roasting pan, put the pan with the drippings still inside onto the stove on low heat and add two cups of turkey broth or chicken broth to the bottom of the roasting pan.

Add turkey or chicken broth to the drippings and heat on low heat.

3. Use a wooden spoon to scrape all the bits from the bottom of the roasting pan. This gives your gravy a deeper flavor.

Use a wooden spoon to scrape the bits from the bottom of the pan.  This gives your turkey gravy a deeper flavor.

4. Once all the turkey bits are freed from the bottom of the roasting pan, strain the drippings into a mixing bowl.

Strain the broth and drippings into a mixing bowl.

5. Chill the liquids in the fridge for 15 minutes, or until the fats have separated from the other liquids.

6. Skim the fat from the top of the drippings as much as possible with a ladle or fat skimmer. You don’t want to add the fat to the gravy.

Skim the fat from the top of the drippings. You don't want to add fat to your turkey gravy.

7. In a sauce pan, melt the 3 tablespoons of butter on medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the flour and stir together continuously for 5-10 minutes to make a rue.

Melt the butter in a sauce pan and mix in flour to make a rue. This will thicken your turkey gravy.

8. Once the rue is a golden brown color, add the skimmed turkey drippings to the pot and bring to a simmer. Stir the mixture until the drippings are combined with the rue.

Add the skimmed drippings to your rue and bring the gravy to a simmer.

9. Reduce the heat and simmer until the gravy reaches your desired thickness.

Simmer your turkey gravy until it has reached your desired thickness.

10. Taste your gravy and season with salt and pepper if needed, though it may not be necessary as there are seasonings in your turkey drippings.

11. Serve and enjoy!

Turkey Gravy Recipe

Turkey gravy square pic shown in a white gravy boat. Presented with roasted turkey in the background.

Turkey Gravy Recipe

How to Use Turkey Drippings to Make a Delicious Turkey Gravy
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Course: Sauce
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Turkey Gravy
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chill time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings:
Calories: 60kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Sauce pot

Ingredients

  • Drippings from a Roasted Turkey
  • 3 Tbsp. Butter
  • 2 Cups Turkey or Chicken Broth
  • 3 Tbsp. Flour
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Instructions

  • Once your turkey is done roasting, remove it from the roasting pan and place on a platter to rest. I always tent my turkey in foil to keep it warm while resting.
  • Once the turkey is removed from the roasting pan, put the pan with the drippings still inside onto the stove on low heat and add two cups of turkey broth or chicken broth to the bottom of the roasting pan.
  • Use a wooden spoon to scrape all the bits from the bottom of the roasting pan. This gives your gravy a deeper flavor.
  • Once all the turkey bits are freed from the bottom of the roasting pan, strain the drippings into a mixing bowl.
  • Chill the liquids in the fridge for 15 minutes, or until the fats have separated from the other liquids.
  • Skim the fat from the top of the drippings as much as possible with a ladle or fat skimmer. You don't want to add the fat to the gravy.
  • In a sauce pan, melt the 3 tablespoons of butter on medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the flour and stir together continuously for 5-10 minutes to make a rue.
  • Once the rue is a golden brown color, add the skimmed turkey drippings to the pot and bring to a simmer. Stir the mixture until the drippings are combined with the rue.
  • Reduce the heat and simmer until the gravy reaches your desired thickness.
  • Taste your gravy and season with salt and pepper if needed, though it may not be necessary as there are seasonings in your turkey drippings.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 4oz | Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 3.1g | Fat: 2.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.75g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2.4mg | Sodium: 685mg | Potassium: 130mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.5g | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.9mg

Final Thoughts on Turkey Gravy

Turkey gravy is an essential part of any turkey dinner. I hope that you enjoy this recipe as much as my family does! Happy cooking!

Check out the following links for more great recipes:

Creamy Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Classic Roasted Chicken Recipe

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